The frame, clasp and chain of an evening bag are jewellery in their own right. Gold or silver? The answer comes down to one rule and three nuances.
The rule: one metal
The metal of the bag follows your jewellery. A gold-tone set, a bag with a gold-tone frame; silver or crystal earrings, a silver-tone bag. Two metals side by side, at the hand and at the neck, get more attention than the bag itself.
Nuance 1: beads and crystal go with everything
If you are wearing beads or crystal with no visible metal, you are free to choose. A black and white beaded bag with a silver-tone frame or a black beaded bag with a gold-tone frame both work.
Beaded bags
Black beaded bag — gold-tone jewelled clasp frame, ornate handle & chain
€99.00One of a kind
Nuance 2: the colour of the dress
- Gold with warm tones: burgundy, green, camel, ochre, black.
- Silver with cool tones: midnight blue, grey, lilac, pure white.
- The black goes with both.
Nuance 3: your skin tone
It is often said that gold warms olive skin and silver brightens fair skin. That is a starting point, not a rule: try both metals near your face, in evening light.
What about rose gold and bronze?
Rose gold sits close to gold: it goes with a gold-tone frame, and with pinkish and nude tones. Bronze and copper also fall on the warm side. Matt black and steel grey, on the other hand, go with silver.
The small metal details count too
The clasp, the handle fittings, the ring on a Japanese knot bag: these are what show when the bag is held in the hand. Look at them as closely as the frame when you compare two bags.
Our gold-tone bags
- Rectangular white beaded bag, gold-tone frame and chain.
- White beaded bag with a bamboo handle, gold-tone frame.
- Embroidered velvet with fringe, gold-tone mount and fringe.
- The Japanese knot bags, gold-tone ring.
Our silver-tone bags
- Black and white beaded bag, engraved silver-tone frame.
- Velvet-finish black and white beaded bag, silver-tone frame and chain.
For the complete look, see our guide to choosing an evening bag for a wedding. See all our evening bags and clutches. Delivery by Colissimo from €4.50, complimentary from €49; dispatched within 3 working days; 14 days to change your mind.
Frequently asked questions
A gold bag with a steel watch?
Yes: a watch is an everyday object; you take it off or ignore it. The rule applies to the jewellery you wear with the outfit.
Is gold dressier than silver?
No: both are dressy. Gold is warmer; silver is cooler and sharper.
